Evolv-ing Thread

[Alexander Mundy]

You know model gas engines uses a fuel made from methanol (20%), nitromethane (10%), and castor oil (70%). And as far as I can tell, that stuff never goes stale. And the engines uses glow plugs made from a platinum round coiled wire. They are usually heated by 1.2v @ 3A. Gee that might be a good wire to use for vaping. They seem to last for years and years. I don't think I ever carried any spare glow plugs with me since they are so reliable.

And those model gas engines are just amazing! No valves, no rings on the piston, no clamps on the crankshaft, and super easy to rebuild. And an 1hp size one is really tiny and fits easily in your hand. To get 1hp out of a 2 cycle, it is about 50cc in size. I don't think I ever had a faulty carb and I never had a problem from starting them (having that nitro in it is like starting fluid). I guess you can have a faulty carb, but it is probably rare.

I always wondered why these engines were never accepted in chainsaws, weed wackers, etc. Heck and maybe something larger. Last time I bought the fuel, it was like 4 to 5 bucks a gallon. An 1hp size engine used like an ounce of fuel per minute. Maybe they are so compact and has lots of power for its size, larger engines of this type might not be able to stay cool enough.

I ran 20% nitro in my model airplanes and helicopter back in the day. Let it sit over the winter and it will indeed gunk up.

 

[BillW50]

I ran 20% nitro in my model airplanes and helicopter back in the day. Let it sit over the winter and it will indeed gunk up.

What? I have been using them for decades and I never seen this. This is very fascinating! Our climates should be similar except mine is a bit colder and maybe drier than MO since I am living in northern WI. What about the unused fuel in the bottles?

I never ran 20% nitro. So I have no idea what is that is like. The one thing I didn't like about that fuel was the oil coats everything from the exhaust. Airplanes didn't seem to harm the grass too much, but helicopters blew the exhaust straight down and put lots of oil right in one spot. And I don't know, like 10 seconds hovering right in one spot near the ground would kill all of the grass right there. I dunno, it would take like 6 months before grass would grow there again.

 

[tiburonfirst]

Now my weed wacker, I've had that one going on ten years I think and it's always started, I have never done a thing to it or anything with the fuel, no additive, no running it dry for the winter, just use it and forget it, next spring it fires right up.

i have a leaf blower like that, a stihl and at least 10 yrs old - always can get it started. unfortunately, that's the only thing with string where i succeed!

 

[Alexander Mundy]

What? I have been using them for decades and I never seen this. This is very fascinating! Our climates should be similar except mine is a bit colder and maybe drier than MO since I am living in northern WI. What about the unused fuel in the bottles?

I never ran 20% nitro. So I have no idea what is that is like. The one thing I didn't like about that fuel was the oil coats everything from the exhaust. Airplanes didn't seem to harm the grass too much, but helicopters blew the exhaust straight down and put lots of oil right in one spot. And I don't know, like 10 seconds hovering right in one spot near the ground would kill all of the grass right there. I dunno, it would take like 6 months before grass would grow there again.

Sealed in the bottle no problem, but I left it in the fuel lines and tanks one year. It was Tower Hobbies fuel.

 

[BillW50]

Sealed in the bottle no problem, but I left it in the fuel lines and tanks one year. It was Tower Hobbies fuel.

Wow! I bought a lot of stuff from Tower Hobbies, but I don't recall where I bought my fuel at. But it could of been from them. I do have one helicopter with fuel still in the tank that has been sitting for years. I should fire it up and see if it still works.

 

[tiburonfirst]

 

[tiburonfirst]

Mike

 

[cigatron]

I do have one helicopter with fuel still in the tank that has been sitting for years. I should fire it up and see if it still works.

It might run on that fuel. I always drain my rc fuel tanks after a flying session. Methanol is hygroscopic so that old fuel in your heli tank could have a lot of water in it. I wouldn't risk damaging the engine. The castor oil has probably gummed up the engine by now. It needs to be rinsed out with some denatured alcohol and loosened up real good so you don't wreck the crank bearings and connecting rod.

BTW, Glow fuel is around $25/gallon now.

One of my favorites to fly. 89" wingspan Edge 540 with a 30cc 2-stroke.

 

[cigatron]

Happy Birthday Mr. Petro!

 

[awsum140]

Happy Birthday, Mike!

 

[SlickWilly]

Happy Birthday Mike, I made you a cake, and I'm going to eat it too! Have a great day!

 

[dwcraig1]

 

[Rossum]

Pffffft.

She's drinking tea.

 

[tiburonfirst]

Pffffft.

She's drinking tea.

camouflage

 

[Rossum]

camouflage

Don't get me wrong, I got nothing against tea -- if it's iced.

 

[BillW50]

Happy Birthday Mike!

 

[tiburonfirst]

the man must be celebrating in style sure looks as if it is his away-weekend

 

[SlickWilly]

When I was a kid Dad sang in a Barbershop Quartet, they were pretty darn good. Sometimes he let me come along when they had practice and hang out with the guys. I loved listening to it, they would get together a couple times a year with others from all across the country and put on shows. It's a timeless sound that everyone can enjoy no matter if your a rock and roller like me, into jazz, rap, country, it still appeals to so many. Every time I hear it I go back to those wonderful days as a kid. Reminds me of one show on a summer night, sitting on the city park lawn with the family, drinking lemonade, some caramel corn while listening to them singing, thanks for posting.

 

[ShamrockPat]

Pffffft.

She's drinking tea.

What an eye! I went straight from the manicured nails to the thigh.

 

[BillW50]

It might run on that fuel. I always drain my rc fuel tanks after a flying session. Methanol is hygroscopic so that old fuel in your heli tank could have a lot of water in it. I wouldn't risk damaging the engine. The castor oil has probably gummed up the engine by now. It needs to be rinsed out with some denatured alcohol and loosened up real good so you don't wreck the crank bearings and connecting rod.

Well I was flying it and suddenly the clutch blew. The helicopter started spinning around like crazy. Luckily it drifted towards some tall grass. I figured this is the best spot to try to set it down with the minimum amount of damage. It worked and not even a scratch on it.

Didn't drain the tank or anything since I figured I would have the clutch repaired very soon. But nobody had any Thunder Tiger Raptor clutches. I guess they sell out very fast. Well I figured I would find one soon and that never happened. The fuel looks good still in the tank.

BTW, Glow fuel is around $25/gallon now.

One of my favorites to fly. 89" wingspan Edge 540 with a 30cc 2-stroke.

View attachment 760191

Man! She's a beauty!